In Vitro Bone Cell Response to Tensile Mechanical Solicitations: Is There an Optimal Protocol?

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Bone remodeling is influenced by mechanical stimuli, crucial for bone tissue engineering.
• In vitro mechanical loading of cells is a common technique, but protocols vary significantly.
• Understanding these variations is key to optimizing engineered bone constructs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review biological, mechanical, and technical parameters in in vitro tensile loading for bone tissue engineering.
• To identify consensus conditions and optimal protocols for functional engineered bone.
• To guide the development of new tissue engineering processes based on mechanical stretching.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of in vitro tensile loading studies in bone tissue engineering.
• Analysis of biological, mechanical, and technical parameters used in various studies.
• Identification of commonly used values and potential consensus conditions.

Main Results:

• Despite protocol variability, consensus exists on some parameters like strain frequency (1 Hz) and rest periods.
• Physiological considerations guide culture processes, though some out-of-range conditions are used.
• Synergies with other solicitations require further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Consensual conditions for in vitro bone development, particularly cell differentiation, can be identified.
• Standardization of protocols is lacking, but key parameters offer a basis for optimization.
• This review provides insights for developing improved tissue-engineering processes using mechanical stretching.